Item 3 relates to the 2010-11 budget process. The Scottish Government's draft budget for that year is expected to be published in September 2009. This year, it is hoped that subject committees will be able to take evidence during September and October and to consider their reports in early November. The matter is likely to be fairly complex this year, and the committee is asked to decide whether it wishes to seek the appointment of an adviser. I think that we would want to have an adviser.
I have a point about the cost of short-term sentences. That issue, which arose in evidence today, will be central to the consideration of next year's budget. We will need someone who has a feel for how to work out that cost and what the implications are in that context.
That is a very apposite point, which we can consider later. Do we agree to have an adviser? Whoever that may be will be determined in due course.
Members indicated agreement.
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